The Australian Senate today passed a Greens motion calling on state and federal governments to retain funding for specialist women-only services to allow them to offer independent, high quality and culturally appropriate services.

“It is truly shameful that the NSW Liberal government is forcing the closure of several women’s refuges in NSW while other will see their services cut back.

“More than 25 women-only refuges in NSW have had their funding cut by the state Liberal/National government.

“Although there has been a community campaign in NSW to keep these refuges in full operation, the NSW Liberal government has turned its back on women subjected to domestic violence and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds facing life-threatening situations.

“This Greens initiated Senate motion sends a strong message to the NSW government that their backward approach to women’s refuges should be reversed and full funding restored,” Senator Rhiannon said.

TEXT OF MOTION

That the Senate-

(a) notes:

(i) specialist women-only services play a crucial role in providing specialist services for victims of domestic and family violence,

(ii) services to victims of domestic and family violence and their children should be provided by specialist services and not general homelessness shelters,

(iii) women-only refuges in New South Wales such as the Muslim Women‘s Support Centre and Immigrant Women‘s Speakout offer unique culturally sensitive in-house and outreach services for ethnic women, and

(iv) more than 25 women-only refuges in New South Wales have had their funding cut by the New South Wales State Government; and

(b) calls on state and federal governments to ensure funding is retained for specialist women-only services to allow them to offer independent, high quality and culturally appropriate services.